Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest country, has launched a “Neo Nomad” visa program aimed at attracting modern digital nomads – remote workers and travelers who blend work with exploring new destinations.
This new visa will allow digital professionals to stay in Kazakhstan for up to a year while working remotely for foreign employers, providing them with the opportunity to experience the country’s culture and contribute to its economy.
The Neo Nomad visa initiative draws on the experiences of over 50 other countries that introduced similar visas following the Covid-19 pandemic. Many nations around the world have developed similar visa programs to attract remote workers, and Kazakhstan is following suit by creating its own program to bring in skilled professionals from a variety of fields.
To qualify for the Neo Nomad visa, applicants must show they have a stable monthly income of at least $3,000, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record. This visa is open to workers in industries like IT, marketing, finance, consulting, design, and e-commerce, allowing these individuals to live in Kazakhstan and contribute to the local economy without taking jobs from local workers.
Kazakhstan’s Tourism and Sports Minister Yerbol Myrzabasynov highlighted that this program is the result of collaboration among multiple ministries to make Kazakhstan an attractive destination for neo-nomads.
“There are over 35 million such individuals globally, and we aim to create all the conditions to attract them to our country,” Myrzabasynov said. “Moreover, the cities of Almaty and Astana are already among the top 150 cities attractive to neo-nomads.”
The visa program is also expected to boost Kazakhstan’s economy. If at least 500 digital nomads take advantage of the Neo Nomad visa each year, it could generate an estimated $8 million annually, thanks to increased local spending on housing, dining, and recreational activities. Since Neo Nomad visa holders work for companies outside of Kazakhstan, the program does not affect the local job market, making it a win-win solution for both the nomads and the country.
Across the globe, countries are increasingly offering similar visa programs to attract remote workers. For example, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa permits remote professionals to live and work for up to a year, with the option to extend. Portugal’s D7 Visa also targets those with passive income, including digital nomads. These visas have become popular as they bring skilled professionals to new places, boost local economies, and foster a culture of global mobility.
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